State trooper charged with sexual assault

January 06, 2000|BY A SUN STAFF WRITER

A trooper with 17 years service was arrested last night and charged with sexually assaulting a woman at his Eastern Shore home, said a state police spokesman.

Tfc. Rupert W. Walters, 41, was arrested about 7 p.m. at home on Riverside Drive in Chester on Kent Island, Queen Anne's County, said Maj. Greg Shipley. Walters, who is assigned to the Annapolis barracks, was charged with raping a female acquaintance, Shipley said.

He said the alleged victim, 34, told police that she and Walters had breakfast at his home yesterday and he asked her for sex. Shipley said she told police that when she refused, Walters forced her into a bedroom closet and raped her.

After the alleged assault, Shipley said, the woman ran from the house and was followed by Walters, who drove her to work, where she called police.

Shipley said Walters, who was suspended without pay, was to have a bail hearing before a Queen Anne's County District Court commissioner in Centreville.